Carole Epstein
Carole Epstein lived her life with passion and self-reliance.
Having attained success through different paths, she ultimately pursued and fulfilled her dream of becoming a published author of murder mysteries.
A wordsmith and voracious reader, Carole achieved her writing ambitions after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 51. Self-taught, she participated in writing panels and seminars during her good weeks of treatments.
“Creative writing enhanced Carole’s life and sustained her strength of spirit during difficult times,” say those close to her. She loved an occasion to celebrate, and her book launches were wonderfully attended and highly sought-after events.
Carole passed away in 2004, establishing the Carole Epstein Foundation (CEF) as her legacy. Her foundation has since focused on supporting medical advancements and research into ovarian cancer at such world-renowned institutions as the MUHC and CHUM hospitals in Montreal, and Hebrew University in Israel.
“It is a privilege to finally celebrate Carole’s passion for creative writing,” says a representative of the Carole Epstein Foundation. A recent gift from the foundation to Concordia will now harness Carole’s love of writing through financial aid for students in the university’s Department of English. The new funding will support students pursuing degrees in creative writing.
The Carole Epstein Bursary in Creative Writing will support an annual $1,000 undergraduate bursary, while the Carole Epstein Graduate Scholarship in Creative Writing will support a master’s-level student with $10,000 over two years.
“After reviewing several options at different universities, the CEF was drawn to the writing program at Concordia,” say the foundation’s representatives. “And we are pleased to have established these Carole Epstein awards at Concordia.”
